Treating Headaches and a Bad Bite

Question:

For many years now I’ve been suffering from daily headaches. My Family Doctor’s only solution has been pain killers and muscle relaxants! I’ve seen several medical specialists but they have been of little help. I know my bite is off because my jaws ache when I chew and click when I open but, how can my teeth be causing me this constant headache pain?

Answer:

90% of all headaches are muscular in origin and Neuromuscular Dentistry focuses on the relationship between the TemperoMandibular Joint (TMJ), the muscles, nerves and boney structures of the head and neck and how this system is affected by the patients dental occlusion (“bite”). When jaw joint, muscle and related head and neck problems are associated with a bad bite, Neuromuscular-trained Dentists refer to it as Cranio-Mandibular Dysfunction (“CMD”). Signs and symptoms of CMD include; cluster headaches; migraines; clicking and popping jaw joint sounds; limited opening; deviations on opening; neck or shoulder pain; worn or missing teeth; sore tired jaw muscles; tingling in the thumb and fore-fingers; tinnitus; itchy plugged ears; vertigo; speech and or problems swallowing.

Patients suffering from longstanding headaches and TMJ symptoms are usually very skeptical until we complete our examination because NM trained Dentists employ a zero based medical model whereby CMD symptoms are compared to objective, reproduceable computer derived data. Unlike traditional methods for treating CMD, Neuromuscular Dentists recognize that the muscles of the head and neck must be in a state of Physiologic Rest or relaxation – if the muscles are in a state of chronic contraction the patients bite and jaw-joint relationship cannot be optimized. NM trained Dentists evaluate muscle strain and activity using EMG leads and relax jaw and neck muscles using ultra low frequency Transcutaneous Electrical Neural Stimulation (TENS). This type of analytical diagnostic information is preferable to subjectively quantifying pain and discomfort solely through manual muscle palpation.

NM trained Dentists employ digital Joint Sonography and sophisticated realtime computer diagnostics and jaw tracking equipment called “K7” Evaluation system to accurately locate the jaw in a precise position that supports optimal health for the entire body. The K7 system allows a NM tarined Dentist to develop base line data and evaluate tangible improvements in clinical outcomes on a predictable and repeatable basis. This objective data can also be readily shared and interpreted by other healthcare professionals.

Case Study

37 year old Caucasian female presented with a 20+year history of chronic migraine type headaches (3-4 weekly) and was being treated at a Headache Clinic in the lower mainland with a combination of Anti-depressants, NSAID’s, Triptans, and Botox but, her migraines were not improving. In late January, 2012, patient received a complete NM workup utilizing K7 equipment, a CT scan of her TM Joints. The result of her zero based clinical exam was a diagnosis of CMD. The patients malocclusion was causing severe muscle spasm in her Temporalis muscles leading to a torqued and retruded mandibular position causing internal derangement of her disco-condylar complex. Treatment involved fabrication, insertion and adjustment (with TENS) of a removable lower NM orthotic to reposition her mandible and allow for disk recapture. Within the f rst few days of wearing the NM orthotic, the patient’s migraine headaches had reduced in both frequency and intensity. Within 3 months they had almost completely resolved, allowing the patient to successfully titrate off her meds. Physical therapy was implemented throughout this period and all postural manipulations were made while wearing the NM orthotic. Patient is now finishing Invisalign orthodontic therapy and the correction of her malocclusion is nearly completed. Patient remains med free and pain free as confirmed by low EMG rest and adjusted jaw trajectory scans.

Professional

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Prince George, BC

If you live in Prince George or the surrounding area, please call our North Hart Dental Office(250) 962-8287

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Please Note

Dr. Andrew Willoughby has created this website about cosmetic and general Dental procedures for informational purposes only. The content within these pages should not be perceived as formal dental advice, nor does this constitute any sort of formal dental relationship with Dr. Willoughby.

You are welcome to contact our offices today to set up an appointment for a consultation with Dr. Willoughby so he can provide you with a formal diagnosis and treatment options.